The Juniors may wish to give a Christmas tree to the children of some orphan asylum, combining with this plan a merry time for themselves as well. If so, a “Jack Frost reception” would be a good way of doing it. One of the smaller boys, who is also one of the liveliest in the society, should be chosen to personate Jack. He should be dressed in a close-fitting suit of white Canton flannel, the fleecy side out, with here and there little tufts of cotton batting sprinkled with diamond dust. Long white stockings, with tiny bells sewed on them, and a few sprigs of holly, complete the costume. Red crape-paper shades should cover all the globes. The tree should be hung with glittering icicles of rock-candy, and trimmed with tufts of sparkling cotton snow. An imitation bird’s nest for each guest is lined with crinkled white tissue-paper, filled with When all have arrived, there may be singing by the Juniors, after which the “snowballs” are distributed. Jack Frost capers gayly about, ringing his bells, and tossing the balls to the children, who in turn toss them lightly about from one to another till each one reaches its owner. The birds’ nests of almonds and the candy icicles are left on the tree until later in the evening. Refreshments are served at the north pole. On the centre of the dining-table place an uneven block of ice, and extending up from the ice have a long pasteboard mailing-tube covered with the imitation snow. A white toy bear standing on the top of the pole, holding in its mouth a sprig of dusted holly or evergreen, and several other bears grouped around its base, complete your north pole, and, to further the arctic effect, the chandelier may be trimmed with icicles and dusted sprays of green, and for an added touch of elegance, if desired, there may be Jack Frost One or two simple games selected from the index in the back of the book may be introduced if wanted, but the presents and the little feast will take up most of the time. Finish unloading the tree; close the evening with the singing of more Christmas songs; and the guests will go away convinced that the Juniors are not only the happiest people in the world, but that they are glad to share their pleasures with those not so fortunate. |